Responsa of the Rosh – Constantinople, 1517 – First Edition – Handwritten Glosses

Responsa of the Rosh – Constantinople, 1517 – First Edition – Handwritten Glosses

Responsa of the Rosh. [Constantinople: Samuel Nachmias and his son Moshe, 1517]. First edition.

Responsa of the Rosh is one of the first responsa works printed in the early days of printing, and it is one of the primary sources used by halachic authorities. The present edition was used by R. Yosef Karo when composing Beit Yosef and Shulchan Aruch, and by the Rama for his glosses.
In contrast to ordinary responsa works, this work was arranged and edited in order to turn it into a book of classified rulings. The responsa of the Rosh were gathered into one hundred and eight chapters (kelalim), arranged topically.
The text, which was corrupted in later editions by Christian censorship, is preserved in this edition in its original state.
The printing was completed on the 33rd day of the Omer 1517, as stated in the colophon of the final page.
Signature on second leaf of index at beginning of book: "Aharon Cordovera".
Several glosses in Sephardic script, most trimmed.

[189] leaves. Lacking title page, with introduction and beginning of contents on verso (title page and beginning of list supplied by hand at a later time covering two leaves). Approx. 25 cm. Fair condition. Stains, including many large traces of former dampness and dampstains. Wear. Tears and open tears (mainly to first leaves), affecting text, partially repaired with paper (with text supplied by hand in several places). Approx. ten of the first leaves and several others detached. Light worming. Close trimming bordering text on several leaves, slightly affecting headers of leaves. Old binding, with front side detached. Wear and damage to binding (tear across spine).